How To Recognized Feist Dog?
15.03.2021.
Getting to know all registered dog breeds can be tricky. The US cynology association currently has 197 registered dog breeds, and the FCI recognizes over 390. But getting to know all local breeds is nearly impossible. So why not start with a domestic one like the Feist dog?
What is a Feist dog?
The Feist dog is an American, unregistered, yet fairly popular dog breed. It came to life as a result of mixing different breeds that English farmers and immigrants brought with them to the US couple of hundred years ago. Most noticeably, the Feist dog is a mix of:
- Manchester Terrier
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- English White Terrier (now extinct)
After a while, Feist dog breeders added several other breeds, and each of the added breeds had an exact reason behind the introduction. These are the breeds that were added:
The first three were added to improve the Feist dog’s speed, and the Beagle was added to improve their hunting and tracking abilities. It is clear that the Feist is a mix of plenty of breeds, and the result is a scrappy hunting dog that comes in different varieties.
Varieties of the Feist dog
There is still a spirited debate among the Southern breeders and owners about different varieties of the Feist dogs. Some claim there are no physical differences, while others claim there are, and their size should differentiate them. The truth is still unclear, but the widest accepted theory is that the two varieties are different only by the place where they come from. The two types are, of course, the Treeing and Mountain Feist dogs.
Characteristics
The Feist dogs are small, active hunters that look a lot like the Jack Russell Terriers. They are so alike that Feists are often mistaken for Jack Russells. However, there are some critical differences between them. Jack Russell Terriers have shorter legs and tails, and their coats are usually coarse. Feist dogs have smooth coats.
Feist dogs are usually around 18 inches tall and can weigh up to 20 pounds. They have a specific body structure that makes them slim, fast, and extremely agile. It has a smooth coat that sheds moderately all year. These dogs come in different color combinations, with the most popular ones being black and tan, blue and white, brindle and black, and red and white.
Temperament
Unlike Jack Russell Terriers, Feist dogs are much calmer when not running or hunting. Terriers generally have a high prey drive, but since Beagles were added to this breed, their temperaments became a lot milder. They have more tracking hound traits, making them friendlier and more outgoing. They are still a hunting breed, and if they see a rat, their hunting instincts will kick in. These dogs specialize in hunting rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels.
Learning the exact character of an unstandardized dog breed can be tricky, and individual dogs will be physically and mentally different. Many of these dogs are described as energetic, intelligent, and adaptable, with a great sense of their surroundings. They should recognize different situations and know when it’s time to play and time to calm down.
Their Terrier lineage can be seen in their high prey drive but also in their watchdog instincts. The Feist dog will undoubtedly tell you if anything suspicious happens.
Health issues of the Feist dog
Like any other dog breed, the Feist dogs have some health issues they are prone to. Terriers, in general, are prone to allergies, and these dogs are also prone to them. One of the most significant issues is hip dysplasia. Other issues might include:
- Eye disorders
- Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome
- Patellar luxation
- Ear infections
- Deafness
Since this is not a registered breed, their exact health concerns and issues are not fully documented and studied. It could be entirely possible that there are some health issues we are still unaware of.
Getting a Feist dog
If you are a hunter or you would like to get a small, energetic, intelligent companion, the Feist dog might be a viable option for you. However, things can get a bit problematic at this point. Feist dogs face the same problem other designer dogs, crossbreeds, and hybrids face - no control.
Do you know which are the most popular Poodle crossbreeds? Check out this article - Best Poodle Mixes And Crossbreeds.
No breeding control or a governing cynology association can control the breeding process and the dogs’ pedigrees. So finding a reputable Feist dog breeder might become problematic. It will require time, patience, and a bit of luck.
We could find out that Feist dogs, on average, cost around $300 - $400. If you get lucky enough to find a reputable breeder with good breeding practices, you might just end up with one of these fascinating little dogs.
Images Source
World Dog Finder team
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